Ryan Ross is going home. Loyd Star’s head football coach isleaving to become offensive coordinator at Brookhaven High School,his alma mater.

Ross, 36, coached at Loyd Star for three years. The Hornetsfinished 10-2 last season. They were Region 6-2A runners-up andadvanced to the second round of the state playoffs where they lostto eventual state champion Bassfield.

“Going back to Brookhaven is going back home,” said Ross. “I have alot of pride in Brookhaven. I’m excited about being back but at thesame time, I’m also concerned about what happens at Loyd Star. Thepeople have been very supportive.”

“It’s hard to leave the Loyd Star community and these kids,” Rosscontinued. “The kids worked hard for me and got the program turnedaround.”

The hiring of Ross was approved at Tuesday’s Brookhaven schoolboard meeting. Ross is a 1992 BHS honor graduate who playedquarterback for the Panthers. He coached at BHS on two occasions.He served under Greg Wall and then went to McComb. He coached oneyear under Peavey and before going to Southwest MississippiCommunity College where he was offensive coordinator and assistanthead coach.

“Obviously, I’m very pleased about it ” said BHS head coach TuckerPeavey. “Ryan is a good person and he loves Brookhaven HighSchool.”

Peavey said Ross also would serve as powerlifting coach, a positionpreviously held by Jaymie Palmer who accepted the job of offensivecoordinator at Lawrence County, his alma mater, two weeksago.

“Tucker is a good coach and a good leader,” said Ross. “I want todo my part to keep Brookhaven successful.”

Ross is married to the former Mary Louise Taylor of Cleveland andthey have four children: Hogan, age 12; Stone, 8; plus twins Lukeand Lilly, 2.

Ross inherited a losing team at Loyd Star. In three years hecompiled a 17-15 worksheet.

The Panthers began spring football practice Monday. There are noplans for a jamboree or spring game. Peavey said BHS would host ajamboree against Terry in early August, either the 12th or13th.

Loyd Star athletic director Billy Vaughn said he and principalRobin Case would discuss replacing Ross as soon as possible.